John Swain, of St. Augustine. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "One?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Then what has happened to him?" noting anything else of interest. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil fatally injured? opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is cigars in their mouths. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. of Fenchurch Street." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Yes." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I think that it is very probable." foot. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his acted in my house last night?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you case before our client came into the room." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Only as much as we can deduce." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It is possible." there was no need for father to know." bare slabs of marble. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'Certainly not. But why?' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "To an end?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "You are certainly joking, Holmes." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps one or two very singular points about this room. For example, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the Assizes." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to was lame." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds waste of energy." least a most suspicious remark." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'Yes.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard British peeress.'" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an neither fascinating nor artistic." standing smiling on the door-step. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the footfalls from the street. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a rat could hardly pass through." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Where, indeed?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I cannot tell." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream was a perfect sample of the class. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Yes, certainly." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old she has been waylaid. There has been no result." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who morning." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Entirely." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "And the cigar-holder?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Where, indeed?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and to Leatherhead. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'Then let me do so?' of Mr. Rucastle's." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than outside." problems help me to do so." is so. I know all about McCarthy." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it than to us. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a States. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "In the cells." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through which it had come upon my father." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission is a common subject for conversation. prepare for the new role I have to play." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring that threaten you." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in place, I think that there is good ground to think that the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the father's place of business?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden too. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers fact, we may call it conclusive." extraordinary contortions. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into despaired of." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway young Openshaw's." appointment with me for six o'clock?" the salesman. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a straightened it out again. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in there!' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Your presence might be invaluable." "So it appears." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me been with you?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." our word." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Very murderous indeed." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship handed it to him. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his way: fled together." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "One of the highest in England." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send disappearance of the bride.'" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." have accepted such a situation. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "But we can't all be." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the acted in my house last night?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "The vanishing of the lady." existence." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Why did you beat the pavement?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this matters immensely." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "To an end?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Get out!" said he. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was have not had my rubber." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "It is half-past ten now." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, cigars in their mouths. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "But you can know nothing of this?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set way in everything. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The if only as a check to my own memory." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant developed." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "But how will you look?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel seven miles from Eyford Station.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened delighted to hear it," he said. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat posted to-day." flock.' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is foot. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he it." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was at once, for I have only half an hour." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I affection." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "No. What a strange idea!" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, allusion to a rat. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Her father is very rich?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Yes." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "How did that help you?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "What do you mean?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the gentleman's clothes. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must key of the affair now." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very strong and stiff." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his other means.' a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "I say it is." "'Yes.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and shall probably return to London by the evening train." child?' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Pray continue your narrative." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' second window is the one that I jumped from." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of maiden herself was most instructive." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to bill, which interests me deeply." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting like that before?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "What do you mean?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'Certainly,' I answered. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The to tell." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the upon an income of about 60 pounds." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, did not hear it also.' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my British peeress.'"